Biomass and content of ginsenosides and polyacetylenes in American ginseng roots can be increased without affecting the profile of bioactive compounds

Abstract

Fifty selected roots from a 7-year-old American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) plant population grown in Denmark, with root weights varying from 191 to 490 g fresh weight (FW), were investigated for bioactive ginsenosides and polyacetylenes (PAs) in order to determine the correlation between the content of ginsenosides and PAs and root FW. PAs (falcarinol, panaxydol) and ginsenosides (Rb(1), Rb(2), Rb(3), Rc, Rd, Re, Rg(1)) were extracted from roots by sequential extraction with ethyl acetate and 80% methanol, respectively, and quantified in extracts by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using photodiode array detection. Total concentrations of PAs and ginsenosides varied between 150 and 780 mg/kg FW and 5,920 and 15,660 mg/kg FW, respectively. No correlation existed between the content of ginsenosides and PAs and root FW or between the total concentration of ginsenosides and PAs. Strong significant correlation was found between total content of ginsenosides and ginsenoside Rb(1) (r = 0.8190, P < 0.0001) and between total content of PAs and falcarinol (r = 0.9904, P < 0.0001). Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that it is possible to select large American ginseng roots for increased biomass production and concentration of bioactive ginsenosides and PAs without affecting the profile of bioactive compounds. Ginsenoside Rb(1) and falcarinol were found to be important selection parameters for identifying superior genotypes with the highest content of bioactive compounds.

Recent Methodology in Ginseng Analysis

“…However, the sensitivity of a DAD is lower than that of a single wavelength UV detector that uses photomultiplier tubes to convert light into electrical signals. Using UV or DAD, ginsenosides have been determined from various Panax species and ginseng preparations [25-29]. Both UV and DAD could be easily connected to other types of detectors such as ELSD or MS.…”

“…The simultaneous detection of UV-ELSD enabled the sensitive analysis of multiple components in natural medicine formulations containing ginseng, including UV- or ELSD-amenable [30,31]. Aside from ginsenosides, polyacetylenes have also been determined by UV detection in American ginseng roots [25,27]. Digitoxin and digoxin are useful internal standards in ginsenoside analysis with HPLC-DAD-MS or HPLC-ELSD [32,33].…”

Ginsenoside Rd Attenuates Mitochondrial Permeability Transition and Cytochrome c Release in Isolated Spinal Cord Mitochondria: Involvement of Kinase-Mediated Pathways

“…Ginsenosides are a special group of triterpenoid saponins that are found nearly exclusively in ginseng, and are considered to be responsible for most functions of ginseng. Previous studies have isolated more than 150 ginsenosides, with similar basic structure of a gonane steroid nucleus with 17 carbon atoms arranged in four rings [22,23]. Among the various ginsenosides, such as Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, and Rg, ginsenoside Rd (Rd) is one of the most abundant ingredients in the ginseng root and consequently has been accepted as one of the marker compounds of ginseng quality [24].…”

Ginsenoside Re inhibits pacemaker potentials via adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels and the cyclic guanosine monophosphate/nitric oxide-dependent pathway in cultured interstitial cells of Cajal from mouse small intestine

“…For example, it regulates the intracellular redox state in C6 glioma cells [30] , enhances serum specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b responses, and stimulates lymphocyte proliferation responses and the secretions of IFN-gamma and IL-5 [31] . In addition, its neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects enhance memory and learning [32] . Ginsenoside Re-induced intestinal regulation depends on the jejunal contractile state.…”